Unexpected decline in festive burglaries

December saw a decrease in burglaries on the previous month, bucking the trend which generally sees opportunistic crime spike over Christmas.

Police also arrested two men at the start of December, who then pleaded guilty to a burglary of a home in Kipling Avenue at Chichester Crown Court on December 22.

Sergeant Ian Cooke said: “Over the Christmas period, we received reports of 13 burglaries to homes and 15 to properties other than dwellings such as garages, sheds and commercial properties.

“December saw a decrease in both types of crime compared to the previous month.

“This is really encouraging to see as this hasn’t always been the case in previous years.”

In an interview with the Herald in December, acting chief inspector Will Rolls warned readers to be on their guard for an increase in vehicle crime and burglary.

He explained that even sight of a Christmas tree on show with presents underneath could present an opportunity to thieves.

In an attempt to counteract the threat, police are running a number of ongoing operations.

Sgt Cooke said: “Operation Magpie is our response to burglary across Sussex and the South East.

“This operation sees us working with our partner agencies with the aim of preventing burglary and, when it does happen, finding those responsible and searching for your stolen property as quickly as possible.”

Operation Magpie has three strands. Officers are carrying out increased stop checks on vehicles believed to be involved in burglary offences, working with second-hand retailers to ensure they are not unknowingly handling stolen goods and encouraging residents to register their property.

By registering items at www.immobilise.com, victims have a greater chance of being reunited with their goods, Sgt Cooke said.

The men arrested in December were Mark Coop, 26, and Robert Mayers, 19, of Whitebeam Road, who will be sentenced for their offences next month. They were remanded in custody.